New DOL Leadership, NLRB Quorum, EEOC Enforcement Priorities

This week, we’re covering a change in leadership at the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), the reinstatement of National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB” or “Board”) member Gwynne Wilcox (restoring a crucial quorum), and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC’s) focus on new enforcement priorities.

Podcast: Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Audacy, Audible, Deezer, Goodpods, iHeartRadio, Overcast, Pandora, Player FM, Pocket Casts, Spotify, YouTube Music.

New Leadership at the DOL

Lori Chavez-DeRemer was sworn in as the U.S. Secretary of Labor on March 11, 2025, after receiving bipartisan support from the Senate. Secretary Chavez-DeRemer, a former congresswoman with strong backing from organized labor, is generally viewed as a centrist figure.

NLRB Quorum Restored—for Now

President Trump made waves when he fired NLRB member Gwynne Wilcox shortly after taking office. However, on March 6, a federal judge in the District of Columbia held that Wilcox was “illegally” fired and instructed the NLRB Chair to restore Wilcox’s access to the Board and allow her to serve out the remainder of her five-year term.

EEOC’s New Enforcement Priorities

While many had anticipated a reduction in EEOC enforcement under the new administration, a series of announcements indicate that the agency is instead shifting its priorities and stepping up investigations in new areas, such as anti-American bias, antisemitism, and binary sex and related rights.

Further, on March 17, EEOC Acting Chair Andrea Lucas issued letters to 20 major law firms, raising concerns about their diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts and requiring them to provide extensive information about their practices and programs. In response, on March 18, several former EEOC Commissioners, Chairs, General Counsel, and Legal Counsel sent a letter to Acting Chair Lucas, asserting that her letters exceeded both her and the EEOC’s authority under Title VII and urging her to withdraw the letters. We will continue to monitor and report on the EEOC’s priorities and tactics.

Other Highlights

Major Changes at the NLRB: A New Acting General Counsel, the Rescission of Biden-Era General Counsel Memoranda, and the Disappearing-Reappearing Quorum
Management Memo
Steven M. Swirsky, Laura H. Schuman

Paid Sick Leave in Michigan: Legislature Changes Course at the One-Yard Line
Insights
Adam S. Forman; Nancy Gunzenhauser Popper; Eric E. Emanuelson, Jr.; Daniel J. Glicker

New Paycheck Requirements Coming to Ohio in April
Wage and Hour Defense Blog
James G. Petrie, Jill K. Bigler, Chris Page McGinnis 

Limits on Physician Non-Compete Agreements: Navigating New State Laws and Legislation
Trade Secrets & Employee Mobility
Daniel R. Levy

Massachusetts High Court to Weigh In on Forfeiture-for-Solicitation Provisions in Era of Massachusetts Noncompetition Agreement Act
Commercial Litigation Update
Adam Paine, Jennifer O’Connor

How Jarkesy May Reshape DOL Civil Penalty Enforcement
Law360 Employment Authority (subscription required)
Paul DeCamp quoted

Your Workforce. Our Business.® 
As a trusted leader in U.S. employment law, Epstein Becker Green supports employers from a variety of industries in mitigating risks, safeguarding reputations, and enhancing bottom lines. Learn more about our employment, labor, and workforce management services.

About Employment Law This Week

Employment Law This Week® gives a rundown of the top developments in employment and labor law and workforce management in a matter of minutes every #WorkforceWednesday®. 

Prefer to Listen?

You can subscribe to Employment Law This Week episodes on your preferred podcast platform – Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Audacy, Audible, Deezer, Goodpods, iHeartRadio, Overcast, Pandora, Player FM, Pocket Casts, Spotify, YouTube Music.

Spread the Word

Would your colleagues, professional network, or friends benefit from #WorkforceWednesday? Please like and share the edition each week on LinkedIn, Facebook, X, and YouTube, and encourage your connections to subscribe for email notifications.

Trouble viewing the video? Please contact thisweek@ebglaw.com and mention whether you were at home or working within a corporate network. We'd also love your suggestions for topics and guests!

EMPLOYMENT LAW THIS WEEK® and #WorkforceWednesday® are registered trademarks of Epstein Becker & Green, P.C.